Microman: Difference between revisions
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Strangely enough, it is both a descendant of [[Hasbro]]'s 12" ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' toy line via the ''Henshin Cyborg'' line, based on original ''G.I. Joe'' molds licensed to Takara and cast in transparent plastic, and the ancestor of Hasbro's 3.75" ''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' line, which used construction identical to the modified ''Microman'' construction developed by {{w|Mego Corporation|Mego}} for licensed character figures after bringing ''Microman'' to the West as the ''[[Micronauts]]'' line. It is also the immediate ancestor of ''Diaclone'', the 1.25" chromed-head Diaclone drivers being a one-third scale version of ''Microman'' just as ''Microman'' was to ''Henshin Cyborg.'' | Strangely enough, it is both a descendant of [[Hasbro]]'s 12" ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' toy line via the ''Henshin Cyborg'' line, based on original ''G.I. Joe'' molds licensed to Takara and cast in transparent plastic, and the ancestor of Hasbro's 3.75" ''G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero'' line, which used construction identical to the modified ''Microman'' construction developed by {{w|Mego Corporation|Mego}} for licensed character figures after bringing ''Microman'' to the West as the ''[[Micronauts]]'' line. It is also the immediate ancestor of ''Diaclone'', the 1.25" chromed-head Diaclone drivers being a one-third scale version of ''Microman'' just as ''Microman'' was to ''Henshin Cyborg.'' | ||
== | |||
==Overview== | |||
===Original toyline=== | |||
[[File:Microman Robotman.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Robotman with a 3.75" Microman pilot visible in his chest]] | [[File:Microman Robotman.jpg|right|100px|thumb|Robotman with a 3.75" Microman pilot visible in his chest]] | ||
First released in 1974, ''Microman'' was the first line of poseable 3.75" figures. [[Robotman]], the first toy to transform from a robot to a vehicle, was added to the line in [[1975]]. In [[1978]], the "Cosmo Countach", the first car-to-robot transforming toy (although the "robot" form was still a half-robot, half-car hybrid), was released as part of the "Micro Command" sub-line.<ref name="command">[http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~mikuro/sub1-6.htm "Micro Command" toys, including the Cosmo Countach]</ref> Its vehicle form later served as the inspiration for the ''Diaclone'' predecessor of [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys|Sunstreaker]], whom [[Hasbro]] considers the first fully-fledged transforming car-to-robot toy ever designed.<ref name="hof2010">[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/movie-news/TRANSFORMERS-HALL-OF-FAME-INAUGURAL-MEMBERS.cfm Hasbro press release for the 2010 Transformers Hall of Fame inductees]</ref> | First released in 1974, ''Microman'' was the first line of poseable 3.75" figures. [[Robotman]], the first toy to transform from a robot to a vehicle, was added to the line in [[1975]]. In [[1978]], the "Cosmo Countach", the first car-to-robot transforming toy (although the "robot" form was still a half-robot, half-car hybrid), was released as part of the "Micro Command" sub-line.<ref name="command">[http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~mikuro/sub1-6.htm "Micro Command" toys, including the Cosmo Countach]</ref> Its vehicle form later served as the inspiration for the ''Diaclone'' predecessor of [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys|Sunstreaker]], whom [[Hasbro]] considers the first fully-fledged transforming car-to-robot toy ever designed.<ref name="hof2010">[http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_US/discover/movie-news/TRANSFORMERS-HALL-OF-FAME-INAUGURAL-MEMBERS.cfm Hasbro press release for the 2010 Transformers Hall of Fame inductees]</ref> | ||
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Thus the impact of ''Microman'' on the global boys' toy market can scarcely be overestimated, despite the fact that ''Microman'' itself is little known outside of Japan. In [[1983]], a new "[[Micro Change]]" theme was introduced, under which all but a few of the robots and vehicles made to interact with the figures would have the ability to disguise themselves as ordinary household objects. The next year, these would end up in North American and European markets as part of Hasbro's ''Transformers'' line, and at the end of [[1984]] Takara canceled both ''Microman'' and ''Diaclone'' in favor of reimporting the ''Transformers'' with their new animated series (which these lines both lacked). | Thus the impact of ''Microman'' on the global boys' toy market can scarcely be overestimated, despite the fact that ''Microman'' itself is little known outside of Japan. In [[1983]], a new "[[Micro Change]]" theme was introduced, under which all but a few of the robots and vehicles made to interact with the figures would have the ability to disguise themselves as ordinary household objects. The next year, these would end up in North American and European markets as part of Hasbro's ''Transformers'' line, and at the end of [[1984]] Takara canceled both ''Microman'' and ''Diaclone'' in favor of reimporting the ''Transformers'' with their new animated series (which these lines both lacked). | ||
==1999 revival== | ===1999 revival=== | ||
15 years after being taken off the market, ''Microman'' returned, picking up a motley assortment of ''Transformers''-related vehicles such as [[Action Master]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]]'s [[Armored Convoy]], [[Micromaster]] [[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]]'s [[Rocket Base]] and the [[Laser Cycle]]s along the way. Although supported by an anime, the new toys lasted only 2 years. | 15 years after being taken off the market, ''Microman'' returned, picking up a motley assortment of ''Transformers''-related vehicles such as [[Action Master]] [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]]'s [[Armored Convoy]], [[Micromaster]] [[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]]'s [[Rocket Base]] and the [[Laser Cycle]]s along the way. Although supported by an anime, the new toys lasted only 2 years. | ||
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In Japan, a short animated film based on the then-current version of the ''Microman'' line was packaged alongside a ''[[Licca Kayama|Super Doll Licca-chan]]'' short film and the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Cutting Edge]]" for the ''[[1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair]]''. | In Japan, a short animated film based on the then-current version of the ''Microman'' line was packaged alongside a ''[[Licca Kayama|Super Doll Licca-chan]]'' short film and the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Cutting Edge]]" for the ''[[1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair]]''. | ||
==Modern== | ===Modern=== | ||
Another new line of ''Microman'' figures appeared in 2003, reenvisioned as an adult-oriented collectible. TakaraTomy still continue to produce this toy line, and in addition to a variety of original characters, they add multiple new sets of licensed characters each year under the "Micro Action" subline. These include such diverse properties as ''[[Transformers × Evangelion|Neon Genesis Evangelion]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Rei and Asuka, [[Batman]] and several female supporting characters as well as Ra's Al Ghul, ''[[Street Fighter II × Transformers|Street Fighter]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Chun-Li]] and Sakura, the [[Predator (alien)|Predator]], and [[Godzilla]] (the figures actually go inside rubber monster suits!), among many many others. This series was the genesis of the ''Transformers'' Microman [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]] and [[Ga'mede]] figures. | Another new line of ''Microman'' figures appeared in 2003, reenvisioned as an adult-oriented collectible. TakaraTomy still continue to produce this toy line, and in addition to a variety of original characters, they add multiple new sets of licensed characters each year under the "Micro Action" subline. These include such diverse properties as ''[[Transformers × Evangelion|Neon Genesis Evangelion]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Rei and Asuka, [[Batman]] and several female supporting characters as well as Ra's Al Ghul, ''[[Street Fighter II × Transformers|Street Fighter]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Chun-Li]] and Sakura, the [[Predator (alien)|Predator]], and [[Godzilla]] (the figures actually go inside rubber monster suits!), among many many others. This series was the genesis of the ''Transformers'' Microman [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]] and [[Ga'mede]] figures. | ||
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Surprisingly, some of the modern ''Microman'' figures can use the older ''Microman'' accessories, such as the gun turret formed from [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron's]] gun attachments. | Surprisingly, some of the modern ''Microman'' figures can use the older ''Microman'' accessories, such as the gun turret formed from [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron's]] gun attachments. | ||
==''Microman'' and ''Transformers''== | |||
[[File:WhereIsThySting-NinjaGladiatorAntronSnakeEyes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]] | [[File:WhereIsThySting-NinjaGladiatorAntronSnakeEyes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]] | ||
* The 1975-era Microman [[M121 Mason]] (and Robotman, in a special move) appeared in the cross-company ''[[DreamMix TV World Fighters]]'' video game, representing Takara's properties alongside [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]], and, uh, [[Licca Kayama|Licca-chan]]. | * The 1975-era Microman [[M121 Mason]] (and Robotman, in a special move) appeared in the cross-company ''[[DreamMix TV World Fighters]]'' video game, representing Takara's properties alongside [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Optimus Prime]], [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]], and, uh, [[Licca Kayama|Licca-chan]]. | ||
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**[[Magna Convoy]]'s first body is a [[Magna Convoy#Microman|Blue Micro Knight from the 1979 ''Police Keeper'' subline.]] | **[[Magna Convoy]]'s first body is a [[Magna Convoy#Microman|Blue Micro Knight from the 1979 ''Police Keeper'' subline.]] | ||
**[[The One]]'s statue in the inner sanctum of the [[Primus Vanguard|Primus Vanguard's]] [[Ivory Towers|headquarters]] is [[:File:Microman Giant Robo G-1.jpg|Giant Robo G-1]], an unreleased prototype. | **[[The One]]'s statue in the inner sanctum of the [[Primus Vanguard|Primus Vanguard's]] [[Ivory Towers|headquarters]] is [[:File:Microman Giant Robo G-1.jpg|Giant Robo G-1]], an unreleased prototype. | ||
==Fiction== | |||
===''Animated'' cartoon=== | |||
[[Wyatt Toys]] advertised [[Diaclone]] and Microman toys for sale in the [[Detroit Powell Press]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac|The AllSpark Almanac}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 15:37, 5 July 2022
Microman (ミクロマン Mikuroman) is one of two Takara toy lines (the other being Diaclone) from which the original Transformers toys came. It consists of 3.75" action figures whose hallmarks are being highly articulated for their size and distinctive chromed head, along with vehicles and accessories.
Strangely enough, it is both a descendant of Hasbro's 12" G.I. Joe toy line via the Henshin Cyborg line, based on original G.I. Joe molds licensed to Takara and cast in transparent plastic, and the ancestor of Hasbro's 3.75" G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line, which used construction identical to the modified Microman construction developed by Mego for licensed character figures after bringing Microman to the West as the Micronauts line. It is also the immediate ancestor of Diaclone, the 1.25" chromed-head Diaclone drivers being a one-third scale version of Microman just as Microman was to Henshin Cyborg.
Overview
Original toyline
First released in 1974, Microman was the first line of poseable 3.75" figures. Robotman, the first toy to transform from a robot to a vehicle, was added to the line in 1975. In 1978, the "Cosmo Countach", the first car-to-robot transforming toy (although the "robot" form was still a half-robot, half-car hybrid), was released as part of the "Micro Command" sub-line.[1] Its vehicle form later served as the inspiration for the Diaclone predecessor of Sunstreaker, whom Hasbro considers the first fully-fledged transforming car-to-robot toy ever designed.[2]
Thus the impact of Microman on the global boys' toy market can scarcely be overestimated, despite the fact that Microman itself is little known outside of Japan. In 1983, a new "Micro Change" theme was introduced, under which all but a few of the robots and vehicles made to interact with the figures would have the ability to disguise themselves as ordinary household objects. The next year, these would end up in North American and European markets as part of Hasbro's Transformers line, and at the end of 1984 Takara canceled both Microman and Diaclone in favor of reimporting the Transformers with their new animated series (which these lines both lacked).
1999 revival
15 years after being taken off the market, Microman returned, picking up a motley assortment of Transformers-related vehicles such as Action Master Optimus Prime's Armored Convoy, Micromaster Countdown's Rocket Base and the Laser Cycles along the way. Although supported by an anime, the new toys lasted only 2 years.
Though it has not been verified, several Transformers items released in Japan are said to have been originally developed for this Microman line, such as the Beast Wars II Tako Tank and Niagara Base, and the Arsenal Force weapons in Robotmasters.
In Japan, a short animated film based on the then-current version of the Microman line was packaged alongside a Super Doll Licca-chan short film and the Beast Wars episode "Cutting Edge" for the 1999 Summer Toei Anime Fair.
Modern
Another new line of Microman figures appeared in 2003, reenvisioned as an adult-oriented collectible. TakaraTomy still continue to produce this toy line, and in addition to a variety of original characters, they add multiple new sets of licensed characters each year under the "Micro Action" subline. These include such diverse properties as Neon Genesis Evangelion's Rei and Asuka, Batman and several female supporting characters as well as Ra's Al Ghul, Street Fighter's Chun-Li and Sakura, the Predator, and Godzilla (the figures actually go inside rubber monster suits!), among many many others. This series was the genesis of the Transformers Microman Kicker and Ga'mede figures.
This version has prided itself on "Full Action Bodies" (30+ points of articulation).
Surprisingly, some of the modern Microman figures can use the older Microman accessories, such as the gun turret formed from Megatron's gun attachments.
Microman and Transformers
- The 1975-era Microman M121 Mason (and Robotman, in a special move) appeared in the cross-company DreamMix TV World Fighters video game, representing Takara's properties alongside Optimus Prime, Megatron, and, uh, Licca-chan.
- The Micronauts-exclusive character "Antron" appeared as a video game character in the Transformers Animated episode "Where Is Thy Sting?".
- Two Microman toys were repurposed in the Precursor World continuity:
- Magna Convoy's first body is a Blue Micro Knight from the 1979 Police Keeper subline.
- The One's statue in the inner sanctum of the Primus Vanguard's headquarters is Giant Robo G-1, an unreleased prototype.
Fiction
Animated cartoon
Wyatt Toys advertised Diaclone and Microman toys for sale in the Detroit Powell Press. The AllSpark Almanac
